By
Dana Rausch
/ March 24, 2013
Pinball is a game in which points are scored by a player manipulating steel balls on a board that is inside a glass-covered cabinet called a pinball machine. The objective of the game is to score as many points as possible. Points are earned when the ball strikes different objects on the board. A drain at the bottom of the play field is protected by player-controlled plastic bat that sends the ball zinging back to the top of the board if they fall. The game concludes when all balls have fallen in the drain. Today, my life resembles that pin ball machine. My emotions ricochet off various points and just when I think I can catch my breath, the flipper flings the ball back up to bounce off another emotion.
After a three day conference with excellent teaching, fellowship and Beth Moore for me, as Don golfed with high schools buddies, we returned home tired.
Falling into bed early, we were wakened from a 10:00 o’clock phone call. Although our son’s name appeared on the screen, he was not answering. A few return calls and texts only led to frustration. Unknown to me, Don sensed something wrong.
Shortly thereafter the dreaded call came. Someone just saw our son’s truck overturned in the middle of an intersection. In a matter of seconds my husband was flying out the door in pursuit of his son – praying fervently.
One pin ball just hit the FEAR button……..
Coming upon the scene of the accident and viewing the truck that had since been up-righted, he cringed. Was he okay? Was he injured? And then he saw him, standing near the police car. Sigh.Unable to talk with him, Don talked with the police, gathered the information he needed, yet had to watch it all unfold from a distance. He couldn’t help his son, who would be spending the night in jail.
A pin ball just hit the DISAPPOINTMENT button…..
My pinball emotions however bounce from sheer ANGER to EMBARRASSMENT……
Just as quickly they swing over to SHOCK….Then….. GRATITUDE that my son’s body is not laying in a morgue… or even someone else…..
I want to KISS him…..
I want to KILL him……..
As one ball hits the drain……..
The phone calls have begun from well-meaning friends, because it made the newspaper. The news headline with his full name, age and city are in bold letters for all to see. If you were to ask any of my three kids, they would all tell you I hammered into them the Bible verse, Numbers 23:32: “Be sure your sins will find you out.” I guess my son didn’t believe it………. he does now.
Another ball hits the drain…..and another….and another…. the game ends – I can’t play anymore.
